In front of them stood a girl, bent down, gently touching a snowdrop flower. The snow surrounding it slowly melted, creating an almost unreal sight — as if the weather itself bent around her, or rather, avoided her.
Her hair mirrored the sky, light blue with silver tips, while her eyes were dark as charcoal. Her height was hard to judge in that posture. A straw hat rested on her head — a bold choice for this weather. In her left hand, she held a purple umbrella. Was she expecting rain?
She wore a long white dress, short enough to keep from brushing the snow, and brown boots that didn't quite match the rest of her attire.
Mesmerizing in appearance, her calm, cold voice betrayed the maturity of someone well past childhood.
What looked like a serene scene was about to shatter.
"Wh–wha–what are you doing here?!" the swordsman stammered, confused.
"That's none of your concern."
Her voice was steady, but her words cut deep.
Akane's power faded, and the snow began to fall again around him.
Please… Akane, you must leave now — she's the—
"There's no need to keep secrets," the girl interrupted smoothly, "or to speak in his mind… Myu."
"How could you tell his name? Or rather, how did you know she was there?" Akane demanded, startled.
"That's none of your concern, young boy," she replied once more, unflinching.
"You know…" she continued, her tone shifting as her patience began to crack, "do you really think anyone would enjoy seeing strangers fighting in front of their home?"
"What?! No one asked you to meddle in thi— Eif—"
Before the swordsman could finish her name, a long ice spear formed in the air and halted just shy of his neck. A few crimson drops stained the crystal-blue edge.
"Ahh…" she sighed — her patience was gone.
As she stood, the melting circle around her widened. The umbrella was no mere ornament — she lifted her right hand, opening it above her head as she walked toward the swordsman. The spear of ice began to dissolve in her wake, melting into steam that curled in the frigid air.
The swordsman stood brave before her. He was clearly a head taller than me — and I'm not exactly short; I can reach the top of the doorframe with ease. From that I could tell the girl was small, but impossible to ignore.
"You see… I can count on one hand how many people are allowed to say my name," she said. Authority hung from her words. "And yet you are not one of them." The air gained weight around her.
Is that… gravity magic? Myu, can you see? I wondered. There are still mages around. I found it oddly hopeful — not because I'd never seen one before, but because a mage might help heal Yuki.
The girl turned her head toward me and gave a gentle smile.
"You think I'm afraid of you, little girl?" the swordsman spat. He sounded brave, but his voice trembled.
Her annoyance at the phrase little girl was clear.
"The first thing I hate is a strong person stepping over the weak, Arty —
or should I say, Saint Asmodey, ruler of Sun?"
"Tch. It's unnecessary to state my position." Asmodey's irritation was plain.
"Wh-wh-what? How can you lead a nation if you take others' lives without remorse?" Akane stammered.
"Little boy…, your turn to speak has yet to come," the girl said, no longer playful. She wasn't trying to flaunt authority — this was different.
"You see, Asmodey, as one charged with keeping the balance of this world, I cannot allow your selfish actions any longer. Especially here, in another nation."
"Selfish?! All I want is to save the world from an unchangeable future and… from that person!"
"And you think taking lives is the right way to do it?" Her calm had vanished; what remained was a cold voice that cared nothing for opinion.
"As ruler and authority, I may act where my power permits."
She laughed once — a sound with no room left for argument. "Fine…
Akane! Cover your ears — now! As a mortal, you are not meant to hear her name! Myu told him without a second to waste.
"I, ████ in the name of ████"
But just before she could finish the spell, Asmodey was gone — vanished into the snow.
"Haha… he's good at running. Not that I couldn't catch him, but for now, that's enough."
She turned to the boy. "Little boy, you can uncover your ears now."
"Yuki!" Akane shouted.
"Don't worry. The moment I arrived, I cast a protection spell on her," she said calmly.
Akane rushed toward Yuki, knelt, and checked her condition. Her temperature had dropped — there was no time to waste.
"Can you… save her?" he begged.
"You see… I have no reason to." Her words pierced like the wind itself. "I can save her, but that's not my concern."
"I'll do anything to save her." He didn't hesitate.
"Really?" She looked intrigued. "Then become my slave — little boy." There was no jest in her tone; it was a command.
"Bu-but… if I become a slave, I won't be able to protect my family… or Myu." His voice faltered.
"Anything…?" she repeated, disappointed. "Why hesitate now? Myu can return to her nation."
"If she goes back, she'll never come home again."
"I can ensure she remains safe — forever," she said, watching him closely. "If that's not enough, I can even take her with me. You'd be able to see her from time to time."
Akane said nothing. He slid his arms beneath Yuki, lifted her gently, and rose to his feet.
"Akane?" This time, she used his name instead of little boy.
But he didn't look back. The snow reached his knees, yet he kept walking.
Do you really want to ignore her? Myu's voice echoed faintly in his mind.
"I'll make sure Yuki is saved — no matter what." His words carried conviction, but the tears on his cheeks betrayed him.
Akane vanished into the blizzard, leaving no trace behind.
"Little boy… if you think you can save everyone you meet, you're far from being the hope of this world." The girl's voice softened into a whisper. "And not even asking who I am — that's bold."
She smiled faintly. "I can't wait to see if you can defy your own fate… break free from your chains. That would be fascinating to witness, wouldn't it?"
It almost seemed like she was talking to herself — or perhaps, to the wind.
"Intriguing," said an unknown voice behind her. "At first it seemed impossible, but now… we might finally catch their attention."
"The world used to move only around us," she replied. "But after seeing his power… we might just gain another authority under our control."
"You're right, Lake Princess."
"Oh my — you won't even call me by name?" she pouted lightly.
"…Have you found any leads?" The voice ignored her teasing.
"…Unfortunately, I found no trace of her — not in the Sun Nation, nor the Moon."
"Not even here, in Cyrus?"
"I'm only here by chance. I haven't checked yet."
The figure stepped closer — a man dressed in royal black garments. A dark purple cloak draped his shoulders; beneath it, a layer of purple chainmail glimmered faintly. His surcoat was black, his doublet dark green, adorned with silver buttons. His regalia was nowhere in sight — yet what drew the eye most was the emblem on his chest:
A girl kneeling in prayer, a dragon-like silhouette rising behind her.
At her left side — a long dark green sword.
At her right — a broken white chain.
That symbol belonged to a nation long thought to have vanished when the old gods forsook this world.
Its name was Decadeeyum Area.
The man knelt before the girl.
"We deeply appreciate your cooperation, Lake Princess."
"My actions serve only myself," she said, her gaze distant. "Yet when she vanished, the world itself began to falter. Even I cannot ignore that."
"We're still searching for her… even after a hundred years."
"That's fine. Once we find her, we'll move."
"Was it wise to let the boy go? I doubt he can save that girl."
"That might be the very thing that drives him forward. Whether you follow him or not… that's your choice."
She closed her umbrella. Just before leaving, she said softly,
"I doubt we'll meet again."
The man bowed. "I hope we do, in the years to come… Lake Princess."
And his name was…
Pheminus — Saint and Ruler of Decadeeyum.